From something as (seemingly) dull as a board game to the high octane thrills of high-stakes poker, the world of cinema has given us some unforgettable gaming moments. Games have the ability to capture our imaginations, or whisk us away to other worlds. We’re going to take a look at five of the greatest gaming moments in cinema history, so let’s hop to it!
Jumanji (1995)
Jumanji is a classic film that brings a mysterious board game to life. So beloved is this film that this artist spent seven months recreating the famous game at the heart of it. Starring the late great Robin Williams as Alan Parrish, the film follows as Alan gets trapped inside the game as a child. When the game is rediscovered decades later by two unsuspecting siblings all kinds of chaos is about to ensure. As they play, the game releases jungle-ish hazards into the real world. Think wild animals and natural disasters. Each roll of the dice brings new challenges and escalates the stakes, turning a simple board game into a veritable fight for survival. When it comes to intense gaming scenes, this game doesn’t have a whole lot of scenes that don’t fit the bill!
Rain Man (1988)
Rain Man features one of the most memorable blackjack scenes in cinematic history. Dustin Hoffman plays Raymond Babbitt, an autistic savant with an almost superhuman mathematical ability. Tom Cruise is the other half of the duo and plays his self absorbed brother, Charlie. The pair head to Las Vegas, where Raymond’s unique talent for card counting turns them into big winners at the blackjack table. This iconic scene not only showcases Raymond’s extraordinary abilities but also highlights skewed power dynamic of the siblings’ relationship. This film has undoubtedly inspired more than a few people to see how they fair at cards! There are certainly no guarantees in casino gaming, but if you’re still looking to try your hand at blackjack, then some options can be found here, especially if you are based in New York. While you probably won’t be able to card count quite like Rain Man, using proper strategy can bring the house edge right down to around 2%.
The Last Starfighter (1984)
The Last Starfighter takes a unique spin on gaming, blending arcade action with outer-space adventure. If you’re a fan of 80s sci fi then you’ll be in heaven watching this film! Alex Rogan, played by Lance Guest, is a teenage video game ace whose high score in the arcade game Starfighter turns out to be (in a twist that only the 1908s would allow) a recruitment tool for an alien military. The film’s special effects were groundbreaking at the time, utilizing early CGI to create its alien space battles. In fact, there were more than 300 computer generated shots used in the film in total. The visual effects team was one of the first to use CGI for full-motion video, somewhat ironically, paving the way for future advancements in gaming graphics.
Rounders (1998)
Rounders is a cult favorite among poker enthusiasts, in fact, many people credit it with spurring the Texas Hold’em boom of the 90s! Starring Matt Damon as Mike McDermott, a law student with a passion for high-stakes poker, the film follows Mike as he navigates the underground poker scene. His aim? To help a friend pay off a debt to a Russian mobster. As you might imagine, the film reaches a dramatic head. The poker game between Mike and Teddy KGB, played by John Malkovich, is filled with tension, bluffs, and dramatic reversals of fortune. The line ‘Pay him. Pay that man his money’ is one that many players quote even now! When it comes to films about poker, there are many, but Rounders seems to uniquely capture the tension and drama of the game.
Maverick (1994)
Got room for another poker masterpiece? Maverick, directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner, is a lighthearted take on the world of high-stakes poker. As you’d expect, the film culminates in an epic poker game with a hefty pot on the line. Maverick, a charming and cunning card player, must navigate a series of twists and turns to outsmart his opponents and claim victory. You’ll have your heart in your mouth watching this one, as this hero of the Wild West attempts the most heroic poker bluff ever.
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